The city of Dubrovnik (Latin: 

Ragusa) was built on maritime trade. In the

Middle Ages it became the only city-state in the Adriatic to rival Venice.
Supported by its wealth and skilled diplomacy, the city achieved a
remarkable level of development during the 15th and 16th centuries.
Furthermore, Dubrovnik was one of the centres of the development of
the Croatian language and literature, home to many notable poets,
playwrights, painters, mathematicians, physicists and other scholars.
Today Dubrovnik is the proudest feather in Croatia's tourist cap, an elite
destination and one of the most beautiful towns in the Mediterranean.
Dubrovnik used to be an independent republic, surviving mostly on
trade. It managed to survive many centuries, with constant threats to its
territory, particularly from the mighty Ottoman Empire and Venice. As
early as 19th century, it was discovered by celebrities as a place to be
seen. George Bernard Shaw once said that "those who seek paradise
on Earth should come to Dubrovnik and find it". Royalty, presidents and
diplomats have all favored the city. The late Pope John Paul II was a fan
of Dubrovnik and was even made an honorary citizen. Out of the 23 top
luxury hotels in Croatia in 2010, 13 were located in Dubrovnik.